UNITED STATES v. CROSTHWAITE.

decided: November 29, 1897.

UNITED STATESv.CROSTHWAITE.

APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF CLAIMS.

Author: Harlan

[ 168 U.S. Page 375]

MR. JUSTICE HARLAN delivered the opinion of the court.

This is an appeal from a judgment against the Government in the Court of Claims for the sum of three hundred dollars, which was found to be the value of certain services rendered by the appellee, as a special assistant to the attorney of the United States for the District of Idaho, at a called term of the Circuit Court.

The facts found by the Court of Claims, and upon which the appellee's claim for compensation depends, may be thus summarized:

On the 22d of June, 1892, the appellee, an examiner in the Department of Justice, received from the Attorney General an order directing him to discontinue the investigations then being made by him in Utah, and proceed at once to Idaho for

[ 168 U.S. Page 376]

the purpose of conferring with the author of a certain confidential communication which had been received by the Department of Justice. The order also directed him to examine the offices and accounts of the United States Attorney, the United States Marchal, the clerk of the United States court and the United States Commissioners, investigate the manner in which business was conducted by those officers, inform himself as to the character and qualifications of the various officials and report to the Department the results of his examination.

While thus engaged in Idaho the plaintiff received by telegraph, August 9, 1892, an order from the Acting Attorney General of the United States, directing him to "report to and assist the United States Attorney at a special term to be called by Judge Beatty at Coeur d'Alene City, Idaho."

On the 13th of August, 1892, he was appointed by the Acting Attorney General "a special assistant to the attorney of the United States for the District of Idaho, to aid him in the preparation and prosecution of all criminal business properly coming before the court during its special term, ordered at Coeur d'Alene for August 3d, 1892." The order of appointment stated: "Your compensation will be determined by the Attorney General upon completion of your service. Execute the customary oath of office and forward the same to this department without delay."

It should be stated that on the 14th day of August, 1892, while at Boise City, and after his above appointment had been made, but before receiving notice thereof, the appellee mailed to the Attorney General an official communication in relation to the criminal proceedings then being instituted in Idaho against rioters and conspirators, in which he said: "I will proceed to Wallace tomorrow for the purpose of preparing the cases for trial, and to select the necessary witnesses, in order that none may be subpoenaed unnecessarily. The marshal has been instructed to provide a sufficient guard for the term to be held, and everything appears to be moving along smoothly. In order that no question may be raised by the defence as to my status, and that I may be able to appear before the grand jury, I beg to suggest the advisability of my appointment as

[ 168 U.S. Page 377]

a special assistant to the United States Attorney, without compensation, for these cases."

The plaintiff took the required oath of office and performed the duties assigned to him. He appeared on behalf of the United States before the United States Commissioner at Wallace, Idaho, for the purpose of having him "discharge" a large number of rioters who had been held to appear before that officer, examined witnesses before the grand jury, rendered daily service at the trial of the cases "and generally rendered the professional assistance of an Assistant District Attorney from the ...

Our website includes the first part of the main text of the court's opinion.
To read the entire case, you must purchase the decision for download. With purchase,
you also receive any available docket numbers, case citations or footnotes, dissents
and concurrences that accompany the decision.
Docket numbers and/or citations allow you to research a case further or to use a case in a
legal proceeding. Footnotes (if any) include details of the court's decision. If the document contains a simple affirmation or denial without discussion,
there may not be additional text.

Buy This Entire Record For
$7.95

Download the entire decision to receive the complete text, official citation,
docket number, dissents and concurrences, and footnotes for this case.